The renovation work
The work comprised of the refurbishment of the external envelope of the main building including its internal courtyard infill buildings. Primarily this included the replacement of roof coverings, in some instances the replacement of metal and teak windows and the repair and replacement of the Portland stone. It also included major refurbishment of parts of the building interior, including the renewal of the entire heating pipework and electrical system in the Admin Block.
The schedule
- Installation of a temporary full height scaffolding to the external perimeter of the building.
- Roofing works: removal and installation of new Welsh Slate to the Admin block, South Wings, North Reading Room and Manuscripts.
- Removal and renewal of lead roofs to the Admin block, South Wings, North Reading Room, Manuscripts and Herbert Morgan room.
- Removal and installation of new lead and slate to the mansards, dormers, gutters and cornices.
- Installation of a new insulated mineral roof to the reprographics room and Education Room.
- Removal and installation of a new roof to the out store building.
- Removal and installation of copper roofs to central hall, stairs and upper foyer.
- Installation of new work and repairs to the Portland Stone.
- Mechanical and Electrical: renewal of the entire heating pipework and system within the Admin Block.
- Full Window refurbishment to the Admin block, South Wings, North Reading Room and Manuscripts.
- Removal and installation of 4 new glass pyramid roof lights.
- Full refurbishment of the Gregynog Gallery.
The sections below include more than 50 images of the renovation work being carried out. All images are supplied courtesy of Iwan Thomas, DarntonB3 Architecture and Dylan Richards, RL Davies & Son Ltd, and Mark Stevens and Scott Waby, The National Library of Wales.
Cleaning and restoring the stonework and cornices
Cleaning the stonework in preparation for renovation work, removal of balconies, restoring the stonework name of the Library, dealing with the erosion of cornice blocks. (13 images)

Cleaning the stonework in preparation for renovation work

Cleaning the parapet stones in preparation for renovation work

Parapet stones cleaned and ready for repointing

Balcony removed

Preparatory work on the stonework name of the Library

Restoration work on the stonework name of the Library

Restoration work on the stonework name of the Library

Erosion of cornice block

Cornice stones restored

Detail of erosion of corner cornice stone

Detail of restored corner cornice stone

Erosion of cornice block

Blocks and cornices restored
PreviousNext
Work on the balconies, windows and lead
Repairing the erosion of the steel balcony, restoring both wooden and steel windows, and new lead work. (10 images)

Erosion of the steel balcony

Detail of the erosion of the steel balcony

The balcony after restoration, before painting

Restoration work on wooden windows

Detail of wooden windows restored

New steel windows in the Reading Room

New lead covering for the Herbert Morgan Room

New lead covering for the western block

New lead covering for cornices

Restored lead work on cornices
PreviousNext
The Central Hall and Gregynog Gallery
Removing the marble plinths covering the pipework around the edges of the Central Hall, removing the floors themselves, laying new pipes for heating, laying new marble plinths, removing partitions and a full refurbishment of the Gregynog Gallery. (11 images)

Laying heating pipes under the marble plinths of the Central Hall

Detail of pipes laid under the marble plinths in the Central Hall

Detail of work to lay heating pipes in the Central Hall

Heating pipes being layed in the Central Hall

The Central Hall restored

Preparation work for renovating the Gregynog Gallery

Preparation work for renovating the Gregynog Gallery

Renovating the Gregynog Gallery

Renovating the Gregynog Gallery

Gregynog Gallery with the partitions removed

Gregynog Gallery with renovation work completed
PreviousNext
Slate, copper and glass roofs
Removing the old slates and installing new Welsh slates on the roof of the Gregynog Gallery and other parts of the building, removing and replacing copper roofs and renovating glass roofs.(10 images)

Preparation work for repairing the roof

Welsh slates in place

Repairing the roof

Preparation work for repairing the copper roof

New copper roof over the main stairs

Welsh slate in place for the roof of the Gregynog Gallery

Repairing the roof of the Gregynog Gallery

New Welsh slate installed on the roof of the Gregynog Gallery

Outside view of the new roof on the RCAHMW Reading Room

Inside view of the new roof on the RCAHMW Reading Room
PreviousNext
Offices, rooms and copper drains
Renovating the Council Chamber, installing new heating pipes and electrical cables in the Admin Block, removing the old copper drains, and producing and installing new drains.(9 images)

The Council Chamber after renovation

New heating pipes and electricity cables in the Admin Block

New heating pipes in the Admin Block

New heating pipes and electricity cables in the Admin Block

Floors raised to lay cables and pipes in the Admin Block offices

An office after renovation

Deterioration of the original copper

Producing new copper drains

New copper drains installed
PreviousNext